Global Council of Indian Christians

To
Shri. Naveen Patnaik
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Orissa,
Bubaneshwar.
Orissa.

Dear and respected Sir,

Subject: Appeal for Emergent Measures to End Violence against Christians in Kandhamal District in Your State.

It is with great sorrow that we wish to approach you Sir, with a fervent appeal for your kind intervention and concerted efforts to put an end to the ongoing violence against the innocent Christians of Kandhamal, one of the districts of your state, which is being unfortunately perceived the world over as a Christian baiting spot in India. Apart from all the Christian baiting in every possible way, both by the anti-Christian forces and their bed-fellows in your government, three brutal murders have been committed in the course of this year alone. The very recent being the chilling murder of Rabindra Parichha, who had been working as a legal activist, on 15th December 2011, at Bhanjanagar in Ganjam District.

Rabindra Parichha was brutally killed by a sharp weapon through which the unknown murderers have cut his throat up to 90% as reported. There was also the sign of a gunshot on his stomach. His dead body was found in Bhanjanagar, the neighbouring city of Kandhamal district. He was a leader of Christians and was formerly also a sarpanch of his Panchayat. He was a native of Bhaliapara (Raikia block of Kandhamal). His wife and family members live at his native village. He was living at Bhanjanagar. Cause of his murder is not known. It is common knowledge of most people in Kandhamal that Mr. Manoj Pradhan, MLA of G Udayagiri, leader of BJP, a convict in two cases, and accused in many cases of murder, arson, etc. , has been moving from village to village instigating anti-social elements, to finish off all Christian leaders of Kandhamal one by one. Rabindra Paricha is the third Christian leader/pastor to be killed during the year 2011.
Pastor Saul Pradhan of Banjamaha (Raikia) was the first Christian killed during 2011, 0n 10th January. According to the police, he died due to the consumption of alcohol and being out in the cold! Pastor Minoketan Nayak of Midiakia (Baliguda) was killed on 26 July 2011. Police say that he died due to a bike accident! Unfortunately, a sizable number of personnel both from the Police and other departments in the administration appear to be on the side of anti-Christian radicals. On 23rd July 2011, there was a large rally at Phulbani at which many hate speeches were made. In addition to which a large number of hate slogans were also raised and freely distributed. One of the slogans was "Hindu-hindu: bhai-bhai _ Anya sab desh-drohi." The sad tragedy is that no action was taken against such anti-nationals. Now during this season of Christmas, an important festival for Christians the world over, we understand that the "Kui samaj" a frontal organization of the BJP, has also called for a Kandhamal Bandh for five days, (23 to 27 Dec. 2011). Most of the Christians are indeed in panic as to what might happen during Christmas. Memories of horror unleashed upon the Christians during the 2007 Christmas are still fresh in the minds of Christians of Kandhamal.

We do understand the political compulsions under which you are forced to function and the need to balance yourself in your administration, but knowing as we do, right from the days of your respected father, you people have always tried to be fair, more so to the last and the least in the society, and the Christians of Kandhamal, as you are aware, very much belong to that most marginalized section of the society in your state.
It is with fond hope that you would look into this matter with top most priority and take necessary steps to arrest this most painful and retrograde trend and put these simple innocent Christians of Kandhamal at ease and enable them to live their simple lives with peace and serenity.
With the peace and joy of Christmas,
Yours very sincerely,
For Global Council of India Christians,

(Dr. Sajan K. George)
National President